Cooking with game meat

Colder weather and the need for substantial meals make fall and winter opportune seasons to experiment with different meats. Game meats like venison, boar, buffalo, elk, and rabbit are especially flavorful and can be braised, broiled, stewed and even grilled to make hearty fall and winter meals. Here are a few cooking tips for game meats and three game meat recipes to warm your belly.

Game is not gamey

Despite the notion that game meats have a very "gamey" or intense flavor, many game meats -- farmed game meats, for example -- are milder yet still distinct in flavor.

Venison is fairly mild in taste while buffalo has a beefy, sweet flavor. Wild boar is more flavorful than pork. Elk has a mild sweet taste, and rabbit has a light subtle flavor. Give these meats
another try, if you've had a bad game experience and enjoy the rich flavors they can bring to your table.

Game is leaner than commercial meat

The leaner flesh of game requires tenderizing or slower, longer cooking times. Stewing or braising yields succulent, juicy results. Game meats can quickly overcook, particularly on the grill or
under the broiler and should be carefully watched to keep doneness at medium rare.

Hunt or seek

People who hunt game either butcher their own meats or have a local butcher do the honor. If you don't hunt or know someone who does, you can find game meats at some supermarkets, local
grocers or butchers. You may even be able to find it at the farmers market (be sure the game meats are kept at a very cold temperature). Game can also be ordered online from game meat companies; do
a search for more information.

Directions:
1. Toss buffalo, Italian seasoning, steak seasoning and salad dressing in a large bowl. Cover and let marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

2. Heat a grill pan or grill over medium heat. Remove meat from marinade and discard marinade. Top each piece of meat with a jalapeno slice and then wrap each piece in bacon. Secure meat with a
toothpick and place on hot grill.